The New York morning sun peaked over the skyscrapers, spreading its light over the massive, parted city. The city, as it was famous for, never really slept, so it didn’t wake up. It was a different story for Central Park. As the the morning rays shone down on the dew soaked tree leaves, and grass blades, it reflected and refracted, further spreading it. It was the barrage of light that seeped into the Rescue Rangers HQ, and into Zipper’s room, rousing him from his sleep.
The fly’s night had been largely uneventful. He vegged out on the couch, watched TV for a few hours, and went to bed. It was, by all accounts, a boring night compared to what he expected his friends were up to, but he’d be lying if he said that wasn’t the basic idea. He had zonked out as soon as his head hit his pillow. He really needed the sleep, and apparently still needed more, as he muttered to himself, and buried himself under his covers. His attempts to remain asleep were undone by the sounds of the park coming to life, and by the unmistakable sound of the Ranger Wing landing. He groaned out loud to himself as he dragged himself out of bed, went out to greet his friends.
Still half asleep, and recovering from his injuries, he slowly and clumsily made his way towards the door/ hanger. He felt his aching joints pop as dragged the door open. He was momentarily blinded by sunlight. When his eyes readjusted, he was greeted with the sight of his friends climbing out of the Wing, all of them wearing the brightest smiles he’d ever seen. Dale’s hair seemed unkept, as if something had recently shaken it out of place. Her face was a mix between embarrassment and satisfaction. Chip seem to be really proud of himself- like how he was when solved the kidnapped ground squirrel case, but the subject to his pride seemed to be Dale. It sort of helped that his arm was wrapped around Dale’s waist, and that Monterrey would not stash his knowing shit eating grin. He may not have spoken any word of any secret he was trusted with, but if you knew him enough- which Zipper did- you could read him like a book, and his title read “Chipper Did the Deed, and I Couldn’t be Prouder”. So, The two ‘munks finally did it, he mused to himself. It took long enough. He then cast his eyes on Gadget, and- who was that? She was a mouse, like Gadget, but was grey furred brunette, an interesting contrast to Gadget’s fur and hair color. Her eyes were the most captivating shade of green. Zipper couldn’t tell what she was wearing except for just a trench coat. She and Gadget shared a similar embrace as Chip and Dale. He smirked at that sight.
Why wasn’t I informed of any new members, he quipped to himself.
The Rangers were still rapt in their own chatter, seemingly in the middle of exchanging stories, and such. Monterey looked up and saw the door agape and saw a green and red speck floating in the doorway. His grin grew into a big bright smile as he identified his best friend.
Zipper, he called out.
Zipper smiled as his friends (plus unnamed guest) looked up and ran towards him. He propped himself on the door knob and waved to his friends. He offered no resistance as he was scooped up, and hugged. He was introduced to Gadget’s new friend. She called herself Abbi- short for Abigail. She seemed almost afraid to touch him- as if he were made of crystal. He’d gotten that every time he met someone when he hadn’t had his forty winks- which was actually more times than he liked. At first it annoyed him, considering the scrapes he and Monterey had gotten in and out of. He soon learned to let that sort of thing go, as somehow fate always managed to bestow upon him a chance to prove himself to them. All he had to do was wait. And rest- definitely rest. For now, at least, he could sit back and listen to his friends recount their night on the town.
He flew over, and plopped himself in his normal spot on the loveseat, and waited for the others to join. While he was interested to hear how his friends night went, he was more curious about Abbi here. The others were, as well; Gadget promised they’d get proper introductions when they returned to the HQ. Now that they were all here, they all took their seats around Abbi, waiting for her story.
Abbi looked around at their expecting eyes, and sighed. She started with her full name: Abigail Fieldmouse. Repeating what she’d told Gadget during their time together last night, she talked about how she used to be a typical forest mouse, who was no stranger to grand adventures. Abby had told Gadget how she, and her two friends- a hedgehog, and a mole- embarked on a grand journey to help their friend- a very young badger- recover from exposure to poisonous gas. They succeeded, but failed to save her parents. She went on to say that it bothered her more than she realized. She moved out of the Forest, and tried to find her fortune in New York. In ways she’d rather not talk about, she failed in that front, and found herself working as a waitress in Fat Cat’s Casino. She was there for about a year until she ran into Gadget.
The Rangers were saddened to hear about her less than optimistic past. They felt as if there were a good deal that she wasn’t telling, but thought better of pressing her- a girl and her secrets, after all. For an awkwardly long minute, the rodents (plus one fly) sat there, trying to think of what to say or ask. On many different occasion, each of the boys, and Dale, opened their mouths to speak, then suddenly snapped them shut.
“So, uh,” Dale asked, finally. “How did you two hit it off?”
The Rangers stared at Dale, for a short second, thankful- as they seldom were- for her straight forward simple mindedness. Granted, it usually caused more problems than helped, but when it helped, it seemed like a godsend. This was no different. Dale didn’t say anything after that, but simply shifted a bit in her seat.
“Well,” Gadget answered, her eyes lighting up. “You guys saw me go after her, but when we finally met, we were pretty sure that this was gonna be a one night thing, but then she mentioned our Ranger Wing.”
“I helped fly something like it once,” Abbi spoke up. “But, it took all three of me and my friends to keep it airborne. Long story. I even helped build it, but I just grabbed the leaves. It was Edgar who actually built the thing on the fly. I never really had much of a chance to learn more about the mechanics.”
“And,” Gadget continued. “I’m totally lost when it comes to survival in the wild”
“What,” Monterrey interrupted. “Remember when Me, Chip, and Dale here met you? You survived on your own.”
“In an insulated, metal dome,” Gadget added. “I honestly wouldn’t know a cedar leaf from poison oak.”
“So, Gadget, and I pretty much talked about that sort of stuff,” Abbi smiled. We even promised each other that Gadget would help me learn the mechanics, and I’d teach her about all the plants you can eat,” she shot a quick smirk at Gadget, “and the ones you avoid.”
Just then, there was a muffled commotion outside the door. It sounded like flapping wings, and hushed voices; one was decidedly male, while the other was very much female. The voices were muffled, so the rangers weren’t sure as to what exactly they were saying. They were, however, able to tell that the male voice was reluctant, while the female voice, while soft, sounded adamant. Whatever was going on, it seemed that the boy didn’t want to come here, having been dragged all the way here by his partner. The male was finally shushed as the girl, they assumed, knocked on the door.
“It’s open,” Dale called out.
The door opened to reveal Foxglove. At her side, was Spex. Dale, for her part, instinctively pushed herself against Chip, who wrapped his arms around her. Monterrey, and Zipper, sprung into action, leaping over the loveseat, and took defensive stances between him, and Dale. Abbi sat there, confused. She didn’t know who they were, but it was obvious to her that they couldn’t be good. Not missing a beat between, she pulled her arms into her coat, wiggled around it bit, and threw up her coat, and maid outfit under it, leaving her in nothing but her fur- which she kept decently groomed.. Dale’s eyes stayed on the de-clothed mouse as she leapt over the loveseat, and charged at the two bats, her fist cocked. Are all mice raging nudists, Dale mused to herself, or just the ones I know? Spex cringed, hiding behind his wings, while Foxglove jumped in front of him, her wings held up.
“Wait,” Foxglove exclaimed.
Abbi suddenly felt something large and warm wrap around her wrist, jerking her back. Looking back, she saw that Monterrey had reached out, and pulled her back. She bounced off of his stomach, fell to her knees. Ever the gentlemouse, Monterrey kneeled down to help Abbi to her feet- and awkward task, considering she wasn’t wearing anything.
“Foxglove,” Gadget asked, an accusatory finger pointed directly at Spex. “What is he doing here!?”
“He has something to say to you,” Foxglove answered, placing a wing on Spex’s shoulder.
“B-but,” Dale said. “Do you even know what he did to me?”
“That’s sort of why I’m here,” Spex said, trying to shrink into nothingness under Foxglove’s wings. “To apologize.”
“What,” Chip asked, his face showing every bit of fury he was feeling. “Do you think that you can LIE just to lure our teammates away and... and,” he stuttered a bit, his head swaying back and forth as he tried to put into words the scene he came across.
“I know,” Spex sighed. “I know. But I still need to say it, because I really am sorry.”
Dale looked at the bat cowering behind Foxglove. He didn’t seem like the bat she met yesterday, nor did he seem like the monster he turned into soon after. She wanted to forgive him, but she saw first hand how fast he can change. For all she knew, this could be another act- a another cover for the bloodthirsty predator to hide behind.
“Why should we believe you,” she asked. “I saw you. It was like you turned into a whole other person. How can we even believe you after that?”
“Because, that’s actually what happened,” Spex said, still hiding under Foxglove’s wing.
“Wait-what?” Abbi asked.
“What are you going on about, bloke,” Monterrey asked, obviously not believing him.
“Um,well,” Spex stammered. “It’s... you see... Okay... well...” He finally gave up and whispered something in Foxglove’s ear. she nodded, reached into her tuft of chst fur and pulled out a pair of round rimmed glasses.
Spex snatched them out of her wings and shoved them onto his face. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and stood up straight. His eyes shot open, and mouth curled into a grin. He tapped on one lens a couple of times, and then the other. He took a final deep breath.
“Ah, much better,” Spex smiled.
The Rangers sat and stood where they were, looking on- dumbfounded by the transformation that happened just before their eyes. It was then, that they noticed something- Spex was missing his glasses from last time. His total one-eighty from that experience, they reasoned, must have been so jarring that they missed his glasses.
“Yes,” Spex said, looking and sounding like the gentle-bat she first met; she shuddered from her sense of de ja vu. “It is as I said. I did indeed turn into a whole other bat. Not willingly, I assure you.”
“What do you mean,” Abbi asked.
As I’m sure you are all aware, Spex explained. I am a vampire bat, and it is a fact- an unmitigated, non-negotiable fact of our biology that we sustain ourselves through drinking blood. Normally, we try to limit ourselves to larger mammals, mainly livestock. Unfortunately, there are times where such options are unavailable, and we are forced to look towards our smaller brethren for sustenance. In such times, we can get by with, quite literally, a quick bite, and lick. In the past, it’s been a challenge to find willing donors. If there’s anything we thank that stupid book series for is the multitude of willing donors it inspired. .
“Okay,” Gadget asked. “What does this have to do with ‘turning into a whole other bat’?”
“Everything” Foxglove spoke up, surprising everyone. “You see, it’s like Spex here said. Getting willing donors was very, very hard, and when vampire bats get hungry, or stressed enough, their base instincts start coming out. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like they focus all thoughts to a) eating or b) getting away from, or removing the source of stress. They seem to get really smart with chasing, and strategy and stuff; They call that state ‘their other selves’. And, if a vampire bat’s other self gets their teeth into someone, they will continue feeding until, they are full, or they...” Foxglove faltered, a pained look in her eyes. “Or, they suck them dry.”
The rangers gasped at what Foxglove just said. Not knowing what elee to do, they glanced at Spex, who hung his head, and nodded. So it was true then. However, that left one important question.
“Uh, Foxglove,” Monterrey asked. “If this is true- and I’m not saying it’s not, How do you know this?”
“Because, I’m half vampire bat,” Foxglove sighed, after a pause. “On my mother’s side. My dad is a fruit bat, so I mainly stuck to fruits. Even then, I’d start to get cravings. Usually, they’re far in between. Sometimes they come and go all the times, so I’m off feeding those cravings. I never really had too many run ins with my other half, because I’m a half breed. My mom told me that means my cravings take a lot longer before they take me over completely, but when the other me surfaces, watch out!”
“Okay,” Dale said. “Let’s forget about the whole ‘trying to drink my blood thing’. That still doesn’t excuse him lying to me!
“I was not lying,” Spex quickly responded. “I truly am in his employ, and constant company. In fact, I’m an integral component to his latest machination.” He paused. “Though I do apologize for leading you on where I did. The other me was starting to surface, and i needed to satiate him as quickly as possible. You merely had the misfortune of happening upon me when you did.”
“That’s it,” Dale demanded.
“Again,” Ms. Dale, Spex answered. “My darker side is a fact of my biology as a vampire bat. I’m very, very sorry that We hurt you, but you may as well shame yourself for your own nut based diet.”
“Hey, we’re chipmunks,” Chip exclaimed. “We can’t help what we can or can’t eat.”
“Nor, can I,” Spex nodded. “Nor can I help the consequences when I don’t.”
“Yeah, but still,” Dale retorted. She paused . “No! Just, no! I had two guys try to... force themselves on me, in one day. ONE. DAY!”
Spex recoiled as if he’d just seen something horrible. “Ms. Dale,” he exclaimed. “Surely you don’t mean...”
Dale said nothing, but nodded- the emotions of that day quite visible on her face. Spex gestured a wing towards himself- another nod. Spex visibly slumped after that. She was right. When one boiled down the facts, that is exactly what happened. In his right mind or not, he still forced himself upon an innocent. It was foolish thinking to expecting forgiveness so soon.
“Really,” Dale fumed. “The only one who didn’t try to force me was Chip!”
Chip grabbed the nearest pillow, and buried his face into it. Dale clamped her hands over her mouth when she realized what she had just said. The other rangers merely squinted their eyes and rested their faces on the palms of your hands. Foxglove’s brain skipped a beat before it processed what it heard.
“I’m sorry,” Foxglove said. “What?”
Dale didn’t say anything, yet that fact alone spoke volumes.
“You mean,” Foxglove asked, waving a pointed finger between Dale and Chip, “you and...?”
“Mm-hmm,” Dale nodded.
Foxglove, for her credit, was able to reign in her emotions before they arose to the surface. She simply grabbed Dale by her hand, and dragged her towards her and Chip’s bedroom.
“Please excuse us,” Foxglove smiled before slamming the door behind her.
Alone with Dale, she spun around, showing the anger, hurt, and disappointment in her face. She pushed Dale back, onto her bunk.
“Hey, what was that for,” the chipmunk asked.
“Are you serious,” Dale, she demanded. “You really went out, and ‘did it’ with Chip!?”
“Uh, yeah,” Dale answered, suddenly feeling ashamed, though unsure as to why.
“Even though we agreed to wait until I had thought things through?”
“I-I was in h-h-heat,” Dale retorted crossing her arms.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” Foxglove said.
“What do you mean,” Dale asked.
“Dale,” Foxglove groaned. “Only teenagers use that excuse. Even then it only really works when it’s their first- oh....” Her features softened, and her mouth formed a neat, little “o” as her brain looped those last two words. Her first....Her first.... Her first heat.
Yeah, Dale said. I guess it was my first heat.
“And Gadget never told you how to deal with it?”
“Well, she showed me one way,” Dale answered, blushing.
Foxglove slapped a wing to her face.
“And, besides,” Dale continued. “What about you and Spex?”
“We didn’t do anything,” Foxglove responded. “We just danced, and talked, is all.”
“And, I guess I came up some time in all all of this,” Dale asked. “Which, I’m pretty sure ruined your night?”
Foxglove looked away. “It was a heated moment,” she answered quietly. “What’s your point?”
“What would have happened if if I didn’t come up,” Dale asked. “If you or Spex never even gave me a single though, how much would have happened between you two?”
Foxglove had no answer- at least, not an immediate one. She was about to answer, when she and Dale heard a pounding at the HQ door. They rushed out to see what was going on, Just as Monterrey opened the door. In tumbled a pair of mice; the male had a pale golden coat, while the female was a slightly dark shade of brown. While Foxglove, Spex, and Abbi were confused, and bewildered at their entrance, the Rangers recognized them, instantly. The two mice whose son initiated their current series of events, all those days ago- the Rodentskis.
“Oh, thank goodness we found you here,” Mrs. Rodentski cried. “You have to help us!”
“Why,” Chip asked. “What’s going on!?”
“That man who captured us,” Mr. Rodentski answered, panting. “Short, bald, red hair! What’s his name!?” He snapped his fingers as he tried to remember.
“Nimnul,” the Rangers Gasped.
“Yeah, him,” Mrs. Rodentski nodded. Nimnul. He’s back! He took our son, and we heard him say... say....”
“That he’s going to use him to show off his machine,” Mr. Rodentski blurted out. “Tonight!“
